The holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hossain Ibn Ali (RA), the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), will be observed across the country on Wednesday with due religious solemnity.

The Wednesday (July 17) is the 10th day of the month of Muharram in Hijri calendar-1446. This day is well-known as the "Holy Ashura".

It is regarded as the day of Karbala, a `mourning and heartbreaking event`, which has special religious significance for the Muslim community across the globe.

Muslims across the world recall the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA) along with his family members and 72 followers, who embraced martyrdom in 680 AD in the desert of Karbala on the banks of the Euphrates River in Iraq while fighting for truth and justice against the Yazid forces.

Their self-sacrifice at Karbala Maidan to uphold the great ideals of Islam, the religion of peace and harmony, is a shining example in the history of humanity.

On the eve of the holy Ashura, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages, paying deep respect to Hazrat Imam Hossain (RA) and other martyrs of Karbala.

Noting that the Holy Ashura is a significant and mourning day for the entire Muslim Ummah, the President said the eternal words of the sacred Ashura, burning in the memory of the tragic events of Karbala, inspires the Muslims to speak out against injustice and oppression and also inspire them to follow the path of truth and justice.

President Shahabuddin hoped that the great teachings of Holy Ashura would reflect in the lives of all.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, termed the holy Ashura as a very mournful, significant and glorious day.

She said all have to uphold the day`s significance in their hearts and participate in public welfare work from their respective positions in establishing truth and justice in the national life and build a non-discriminatory, happy, prosperous and peaceful `Sonar Bangladesh` and also the `Smart Bangladesh` envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The day is a public holiday.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels will air special programmes while newspapers and online news portals publish supplements highlighting the significance of the day.

On the occasion, special prayers and discussions highlighting the significance of Holy Ashura` will be held at mosques other places concerned including Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and the Islamic Foundation (IF) in the country.